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Timeline
is a mystery suspense thriller released by Paramount
this Thanksgiving. Starring Paul Walker, Frances O’Connor, Gerard Butler,
Billy Connolly, David Thewlis and Anna Friel, it’s based on Michael
Crichton’s best-selling novel of the same name.
If you are
an archaeologist buff, you will enjoy—reading the book a few years ago, I
immediately thought this one will make it to the big screen. A group of
students led by their Professor explore an 14th Century feudal
site in France. They are amazed by their “rare” luck of finding the right
spot every time and learn through a chain of events that their sponsor has a
vested interest in the days of old. Modern times roll back and our
enthusiastic classroom finds themselves in the midst of a major battle.
Who Should See It?—Crichton
fans definitely, if you like action woven with suspense and even a distant
romance or two, time will fly on this one. Gramma might like it too.
4 Golden Eggs
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Love Actually
is the latest
in the romantic comedy offerings. Universal brings to the screen a gaggle
of favorites—Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Laura Linney, Martine
McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, and Emma Thompson—would
be hard to miss with this crew, and thankfully, Love Actually doesn’t—it delivers big
time. Hugh Grant has a dual role—he is featured in one of the 10 vignettes
and is the voice over that weaves throughout bringing several stories to
closure on Christmas Eve. Some of the stories are outrageous and a hoot;
others very touching.
Who Should See It?—This
is a movie for teens and up, all ages will love, including Gramma, actually.
One of my favorite films this year. 4 ½
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Master and Commander
with Russell
Crowe, Paul Bettany, Bill Boyd and James D'Arcy . . . but mostly, Russell
Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey. Based on the best-selling series by Patrick
O’Brian, Captain Jack’s tall ship, HMS Surprise, battles a French frigate
off the South American Coast. The play between all the characters is
excellent and the view of what life at sea was like for the men of all
ages—this includes the kids who do the work of men as well—is quite an eye
opened. There is humor, pain and passion is this wonderful film—just go see
it. Expect Oscar nominations.
Who Should See It—eight
years and up, and do bring Gramma. 4 ½
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Brother Bear
is a combo of
the critters we love and those figure drawings that Walt Disney Pictures
does. It’s a story about three brothers—who love and care for each other,
but fight and defy at times, mixed in with a story about being true to self,
the great outdoors and a few Phil Collins songs in between. The adventure
starts with the younger brother and his Naming Ceremony—Kenai. Through a
series of events, older brother goes to the Great Spirits; Kenai seeks out
to get even with the bear that killed his brother and turns into a bear in
the process … to learn a lesson. Meanwhile, middle brother seeks the bear
that took both his brothers. There is comedy, the kids that saw the
screening with me liked it . . . but only when the Disney critters showed
up, it was a drag until then—the moose pals are great as are the other
bears.
Who Should See It?—Kids four and up.
Gramma can take them. 3 Golden Eggs
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Elf
is brought to you by New Line Cinema. It’s being promoted as the
new Christmas Classic—not for me … I thought it was, well, dumb. Will
Ferrell is a human baby (Buddy) who crawls into Santa’s sack one Christmas
Eve and journeys to the North Pole. So that the kiddies don’t get upset,
Buddy is an orphan and therefore it’s OK to make the big journey and escape
from the orphanage—there’s no sad Mommy or Daddy left behind.
Buddy, of
course—because of his size—is a bit of a misfit in Elfland and eventually
Santa thinks it’s a good idea for him to find his “roots.” Adoptive PaPa
Elf played by Bob Newhart agrees—it’s time for Buddy to find his real Dad in
NY City. Good Buddy can’t get over how people have forgotten what Christmas
is and it’s up to him to sort it all out. There are scenes that are good;
there are many that could have been if developed.
Who Should See It?—Kids
will probably like it . . . it’s not one that I will voluntary sit in front
of again. 2 Golden Eggs
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Shattered Glass
is one of those movies that make you think. Released by Lion's Gate Films,
the almost two hours goes by quickly. Hayden Christensen stars as the
wunderkind staff reporter for The New Republic—Stephen Glass. He also
free-lanced for George, Rolling Stone and Harper’s. At the height of his
writing, he was sought after by multiple publications—seemed to get every
type of scoop imaginable . . . and was one flawed puppy. The old adage
about weaving webs applies here—one lie leads to another, until you don’t
know one end from another. The movie is rooted from an article/expose that
appeared in Vanity Fair a few years ago.
Who Should See It?—Very
mature kids, teens and up. Gramma would be upset because he seemed like
such a nice young man. 4 ½ Golden Eggs
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Haunted Mansion
rounds out the Thanksgiving newbies with Walt Disney
Pictures dipping into its Magic Kingdom and pulling out another ride. If it
worked for Pirates of the Caribbean, why not the Haunted Mansion (let’s
forget that the Country Bears didn’t)? Starring Eddie Murphy as “I’ve never
met a deal I couldn’t love” Realtor Jim Evers, along with wife Sara and two
kids, the venture/ride really begins when Sara is beckoned to the right zip
code in New Orleans—a rundown mansion that houses secrets everywhere. The
creepy butler Ramsey greets Sara and to his dismay, finds that she has
brought the family. Not in the plan . . . but he will deal with it.
Introducing
Sara to the love-struck owner Edward Gracey, Ramsey begins to weave his
web—and there are lots of them. Sprinkle in a few ghosts, creepy doors and
places, mysterious storms, and talking heads and you’ve got The Haunted
Mansion. There are laugh-out-loud and a few jump out of the seat moments.
Who Should See It?—it’s
a family movie, no nudity or blood —anyone who got on the ride at Disneyland
or Disney World can go, OK for Gramma My preview audience applauded.
3 ½ Golden Eggs
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Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino’s
latest is, well, odd. Weak on the story side, I have to admit, I was
fascinated by it. It’s a violent cartoonish type of flick where the babes
do all the kung fu and related stuff—the dudes are almost invisible. Most
likely, Tarantino went through his Rolodex of violent scenes, and
puzzle-pieced this baby together—everything from an old fashioned samurai to
Clint Eastwood spaghetti type westerns. No nudity, but blood—tons of it.
The end caught me by surprise
Who Should See It?—Definitely
not Gramma, and not young kids. 3 ½
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